PHOTO BY MARK GILLILAND
Ruralite
September 2024 • Volume 72, No. 9
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mike Teegarden, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS Chasity Anderson, CCC; Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Valeri Pearon, Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
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Shining a Light on Rural Life
While I live in the suburbs now, I grew up on a country farm until I was about 12 years old. I understand what life away from common services and conveniences is like.
I had few neighbors as a child and even fewer with children my age. I spent a lot of my youth roaming our 50 acres with my dog, catching salamanders, feeding sheep and riding my bike. I became adept at entertaining myself.
Two stories this month highlight different aspects of rural living and the effort required to overcome obstacles.
Our Spotlight feature on Page 12 looks at how two rural high school athletes successfully raised their profiles to attract interest from college programs. Success wasn’t easy or instant. It took dedication and hard work to accomplish—something rural athletes know a lot about.
The Up Close feature on Page 10 takes us to
a small, remote Alaskan village, where harsh elements make having a solid home a matter of survival.
One organization designed a new energyefficient home that is expandable and adjusts as the foundation shifts due to temperature changes. So far, six of these homes have been built. The villagers who live in them save significant money on their heating bills thanks to the efficiencies of the new construction. They also are more comfortable and have room to process and store the fish and game they harvest to feed their families.
More homes are planned as funding becomes available.
Calendar Photo Contest
I want to thank the many readers who entered our calendar photo contest this year. As always, choosing the winners is a challenge. Congratulations to the winners. Visit ruralite.com/2025-calendar-winners to see the winning photos.
Mike Teegarden Editorial Director
For supplemental and interactive content, search @Ruralite on your favorite social media sites.
Better Homes for a Better Life
New energy-efficient design changing lives in small community Up Close, Page 10
Running Toward the Future
Rural athletes overcome hurdles to win scholarships Spotlight, Page 12 Plugged In 6 In the Kitchen 16
Hunt 22 Before You Go 30 Utility Pages: 4-5, 8, 25, 28-29, 32
From Behind the Scenes
Alyson Hammond treasures Pioche’s mining history and volunteering
By Dianna Troyer
After decades of volunteerism, Alyson Hammond was finally given the one job title she has never had during the Labor Day celebration in Pioche.
This year, Alyson accepted the designation of parade grand marshal—despite her initial objections.
“I don’t like being the center of attention,” says the Pioche native and retired manager of Washington Federal Bank. “I’m happiest working behind the scenes as a volunteer at events and have done that for decades. I’ve done just about every job there is.”
She remembers helping to make the bank’s floats for the parade.
“We used the standard of the day—stuffing countless paper napkins into chicken wire attached to a trailer,” she says. “For some reason on a parade float one year, I was cast as the villain Snidely Whiplash and another time the Big Bad Wolf.”
Pioche’s Labor Day celebration is described as “world famous” and renowned in Lincoln County for running since 1905. The theme of this year’s 119th celebration is Labor Daze Retro Revival.
From Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, celebrants in Pioche can attend a variety of entertainment: games, fireworks, lawn mower races, a street dance, golf tournament, pet show, trapshooting, a corn hole tournament and other activities.
AT A GLANCE
Labor Day weekend in Pioche is full of friendly competition, crafts, food, fireworks, cars and fun for all. The Labor Day parade is 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 2 on Main Street.
A full schedule of events is posted on the Pioche Labor Day Facebook page.
The Labor Day Committee chose Alyson as grand marshal for her longtime volunteerism, not only with the annual event but also other community organizations in town.
Starting in the late 1980s, Alyson served as treasurer of the Labor Day Committee and did whatever jobs needed to be done.
LEFT: Grand Marshal Alyson Hammond and her miniature Australian shepherd, Koda, will ride in a vintage vehicle during the Pioche Labor Day parade. Alyson jokes it will be the only time she will be sitting down because she volunteers at so many events. TOP and ABOVE: Alyson is the fourth generation in her family to live in Eagle Valley, where her great-grandfather settled. Her grandfather built her historic home there, where she now gardens and enjoys sharing her produce in the
When the Pioche Chamber of Commerce began organizing the weekend celebration, she continued as treasurer.
Alyson also serves as secretary of the Pioche Fire District. She says her volunteerism is a way to support the community she has always called home.
“I loved growing up in Pioche,” Alyson says. “Everyone knows everyone and looks out for each other. Kids feel safe.”
Her father, Bob Hammond, ran the A & B Service gas station with Art Hartley. Alyson often worked at the station.
“I washed windshields and pumped gas and sometimes helped with tire changes,” she says.
Whatever she has done, Alyson says she made sure she was out of the spotlight.
“I used to be so shy I refused to have a speaking role in the community heritage plays that we performed every summer at the Million Dollar Courthouse and later the town hall,” she says. “At first, I did all the work on the scenery and sets, even elaborate houses that collapsed and could be put back together.”
Finally, the director persuaded her to try a speaking role.
“For my first role, I had three lines,” Alyson says. “Finally, I overcame my stage fright and was a main character for several years. I loved doing those plays because they focused on people who were crucial to our area’s mining history.”
The extraction of rich silver ore and other mineral deposits formed the core of Lincoln County’s economy in the late 1800s. Mines were operated for more than a century.
To honor their heritage, local residents wrote and performed two historic plays and a comic melodrama with a villain and hero who rescued a distressed damsel.
“Our audiences always laughed at the melodramas,” Alyson says. “Sometimes, the young lady was tied to a railroad track and, of course, rescued just before the train came.”
Alyson considers not only Pioche to be home but also Eagle Valley about 15 miles northeast of town, where she lives.
“I’m the fourth generation to live on the land where my great grandfather raised cattle,” she says. “He was among the first pioneers to settle in Lincoln County. The house he built burned down, so my grandfather rebuilt it, and I’ve remodeled parts of it.”
The property has plenty of room for her garden.
“That’s what I really like to do—grow vegetables and share them,” Alyson says.
When she takes a break from being a gardener and goes to town for the Labor Day weekend to become a grand marshal, she plans to a wear a T-shirt designed for this year’s celebration.
“I’m an informal person,” she says. “Being in the parade is the only time I’ll be sitting down. I still have other events I do.” n
fall. PHOTOS COURTESY OF RONDA HORNBECK
BACKUP POWER
Is a battery-powered system right for your home during an
By Scott Flood
We depend on reliable electricity more than ever before—even the briefest service interruption can be incredibly frustrating. It’s no wonder many homeowners are taking a closer look at the latest battery-powered systems as backups during an outage.
Battery technology has advanced significantly in recent years, with batteries able to hold more electricity even as they shrink in size and cost. The same innovations that boosted the performance of electric vehicles are being engineered into today’s battery-powered backup systems.
As their name implies, battery backup systems such as Tesla’s Powerwall are essentially high-capacity batteries that store electricity you can use to power your home in the event of an outage. Some are constantly charged by the power grid, and others rely on solar panels for recharging.
Traditional standby generators use small internal combustion engines fueled by natural gas, propane or diesel. They can be connected to your home’s electrical panel and kick on automatically whenever the flow of electricity stops. Assuming you keep them refueled, most can operate for days at a time.
Some standby generators can be noisy, and nearly all produce smelly exhaust containing deadly carbon monoxide gas, so they can’t be operated indoors. Large standby generators are typically installed outdoors on a concrete pad, which may detract from your home’s curb appeal.
Most home battery backups are smaller than comparable generators. Because they
outage?
don’t use combustion to generate electricity, there’s no danger of carbon monoxide exposure. That makes them safer and more environmentally friendly than generators. Most can be installed in a small space indoors. Battery backups are also significantly quieter. When a power outage occurs, battery backups start instantly, unlike generators that may take a few moments to spool up and reach operating speed. Battery backups also don’t need regular maintenance, such as oil changes or spark plug replacement, and there’s no need to store fuel.
Of course, battery-powered generators do present some disadvantages. The amount of power they deliver is limited by the capacity of their batteries. When they’re out of electricity, they may need hours of recharging before being used again, so they’re not as well-suited for lengthy outages. Energyhungry appliances, such as air conditioners and water heaters, may drain the batteries’ capacity more quickly, so you may want to disconnect them during an outage.
Fortunately, some battery backups are modular, allowing you to add capacity as needed. If you only need a few devices powered during an outage, consider a portable battery-powered system. These small, quiet backups can be used indoors to power smaller appliances, such as your laptop, TV or microwave.
Generally, batteries require long charging times. If an initial outage is quickly followed by another, they may not be able to respond. There are fast-charging systems on the market, but they carry substantially higher price tags.
Even for a basic battery backup system, the upfront cost of a battery backup is more than a standby generator—in some cases, twice as much for comparable performance.
Like those in your mobile phones, batteries in these systems can degrade over time. In five to 10 years, they may need to be swapped out with new batteries, adding to the overall cost. Recharging battery backups with solar panels appeals to many homeowners, but the performance depends on the amount and angle of sunlight on your roof.
So, is a battery-powered backup system right for your home? The answer is different for every homeowner, but whether you’re considering a battery system or a traditional standby generator, start by calculating the amount of power you need to keep your home’s systems and conveniences operating efficiently. Once you know that,
you can determine which models are up to the task and calculate how long the device you’re considering can power your home.
If you have a family member whose health depends on devices such as a CPAP machine or supplemental oxygen, be sure to factor that into your decision.
Whether you choose a battery backup or a traditional standby generator, make sure it’s designed to protect your home and all your electronics from power surges and other issues that may damage your TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics. That way, you won’t have to worry about remaining without them long after an outage has ended. n
Battery backup systems, such as Tesla’s Powerwall, are high-capacity batteries that store a set amount of electricity that powers your home during an outage. PHOTO COURTESY OF TESLA
Which Heat Pump Is Right for You?
ByMirandaBoutelle
Q: My heating system is 10-plus years old, and I want to switch to a heat pump. Can you help me choose the best option for my home?
A: Heat pumps have been around for decades. In that time, the technology has come a long way. In my opinion, they could use a rebrand.
The name heat pump does not highlight the benefit of air conditioning that comes with the technology. Heat pumps are highly efficient because they don’t use energy to create heat. Instead, they use energy to move heat—into the home in the winter and out of it in the summer.
The most common types of heat pumps are air source and ground source. Airsource heat pumps transfer heat from the outside air, even if it isn’t particularly warm outside. Ground-source, or geothermal heat pumps, transfer heat between your home and the ground. With a lower price tag, air-source heat pumps are more common.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air-source heat pumps can reduce heating use by about 65% compared to an electric furnace. They come in a variety of styles and configurations to fit different homes. Air-source heat pump technology has been popular in warmer climates for decades. There are now cold-climate versions available, too.
HowEachTypeOperates
Ducted air-source heat pumps are ideal for homes with existing ductwork or homes where ductwork can be feasibly added. Replacing an aging central airconditioning system with a heat pump can significantly reduce heating costs.
Ductless heat pumps, or mini-split heat pumps, also draw heat from the outside air. They are a great solution for homes that do not have existing ductwork.
There are many configurations to suit different home layouts. New options on the market allow for coupling with gas
If it is time to replace your heating system, switch to a heat pump to conserve energy and potentially save on your electric bills.
or propane backup heat, which might be a good fit for your home. Ductless heat pumps can be a great option for homes with wood stoves. They can improve home air quality, heat the home without gathering wood and provide air conditioning in warmer months.
Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat from the ground to your home. They are even more efficient than air-source heat pumps, reducing energy use by 70% to 80%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. They can also heat water for use in the home, which saves on waterheating costs.
From a user experience perspective, heat pumps are a little different because the heat from the register doesn’t feel quite as warm as oil, electric, natural gas or propane heat. That can take a little getting used to, but the efficiency gains and energy savings make the investment worthwhile.
Before buying a heat pump, compare equipment ratings. The higher the rating, the more efficient the equipment.
If it is time to replace your heating system, I recommend making the switch to a heat pump to conserve energy and potentially save on your electric bills. n
Understanding the Backup Heat Feature
Most heat pump systems are installed with a backup or auxiliary heat for cold weather. This auxiliary heat can be electric coils, gas, propane or oil, which is usually more expensive to operate. This helps keep your home warm on cold days, but you don’t want to use it if you don’t need it.
For some heat pumps, turning up the thermostat too quickly or too high can trigger the backup heat. Typically, your thermostat displays emergency or auxiliary heat when using this feature.
Speak to an HVAC technician to ensure your thermostat is set to maximize efficiency.
Boutelle has
than 20 years of experience helping people save energy. She has worked on energyefficiency projects from the Midwest to the West Coast. Today, Miranda is chief operating officer at Efficiency Services Group in Oregon, a cooperatively owned energy-efficiency company.
This content was originally created by Efficiency Services Group LLC under contract with NRECA. NRECA retains ownership of this content. NRECA does not endorse Efficiency Services Group, its views herein expressed, nor any products or services it offers.
Miranda
more
PHOTO COURTESY OF BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
Better Homes for
New energy-efficient design changing lives in small community
By Molly Rettig
Alex Beans grew up on the Lower Yukon River, a network of southwest Alaska streams, ponds and coastal wetlands so vast it’s larger than Pennsylvania. His house, however, was small and crowded.
“We had 10-plus people in the house most of the time,” Alex says. “I slept on the couch for most of my childhood with my mom.”
In Mountain Village, Alaska—a Yup’ik community of roughly 700 people—more than a third of the families live with similar crowding. The same is true across more than 200 rural Alaska communities.
But size isn’t the only problem. Mainly built by federal agencies in the 1970s, these homes were not designed for the Arctic conditions—temperatures that reach 60 below and wind that can blow off roofs. The homes are cold, moldy and costly to heat.
Richard John Queenie lives in a house about the size of a single car. The foundation is so old and saggy that the walls are pulling away from the floor.
“The logs are disintegrating, just rotting away under there,” he says.
With no indoor plumbing and little insulation, Richard keeps two space heaters running nonstop in the winter.
“I go through more than 20 gallons of stove oil every two weeks, and another $322 for the electric heater over there,” he says.
That’s around $700 a month just for heat. While Richard has a good job working as a carpenter for the tribe, he can’t afford to build a new home—even the 24-by-26-foot house he’s thought of building himself.
It gets worse. Because of climate change, the region
is warming three times faster than the rest of the planet. The permafrost underlying Mountain Village is thawing and slumping in some places, freezing and heaving in others. Older homes elevated on posts—a strategy to avoid disrupting the permafrost—are tilting and shaking.
These housing issues, combined with the recent crash of the salmon fishery on the Yukon River, have prompted many to leave the region. That’s why Alex and the Asa’carsarmiut Tribe are building new efficient homes to withstand the harsh climate.
Through a partnership with the National Renewable Energy
for a Better Life
Laboratory’s Alaska Campus, in 2022 the tribe built five homes in Mountain Village. The homes get residents off floors and couches while keeping them on their traditional lands.
Another home is being built in 2024. Future homes may be added as funding becomes available.
The Yup’ik people have occupied the region for thousands of years and are experts of the land. They worked with NREL researchers to ensure new housing incorporated traditional wisdom with the latest science and technology.
Because the homes were funded to help people transition out of homelessness and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the original goal was to keep the homes small and build as many as possible. Community members wanted them to be energy efficient.
“The homes are very well-insulated,”
Alex says. “There’s just a small heater to heat the home, and on the extended versions, we have a woodstove. If we have the woodstove going, there should be almost no cost going to heating fuel.”
Residents also wanted room in the new homes to process and store subsistence foods. So, while the homes are small, NREL designers included extra-large foundations and decks, which also make it easier to add on to the living space over time.
“One of the key things we’ve learned from people who live in tiny houses is they’re great for a certain time and then you want them to be bigger,” NREL architect Aaron Cooke says. “We designed not a house but a house that could be expanded in three different ways. If you move into a small version of the home, which is about 380 square feet, you have the freedom to expand, whether it be an entryway, an arctic entryway or another bedroom.”
Local people not only helped design the homes, but they built them, too.
“Everything that was put into the homes created jobs out here and allowed our people to have actual job
experience and learn more about the new science we can put into homes that will benefit people in a cold climate,” Alex says.
The designs are a blueprint for future building, and the workforce training gives local people tools to address their housing shortage.
Aaron says two characteristics make foundation design difficult: The ground is frozen, but it is also thawing at an unpredictable rate.
“We had to design a foundation that could handle frozen soils and can also adjust as these soils change,” Aaron says.
Steel beams under the floors rest on adjustable jacks, which sit on treated wood footers. In January, Alex crawled under a home with a level, measured the beams and then used a steel bar to adjust the jacks and level the house.
Afterward, he ducked his head inside to see Agnes Brown, 78, who had recently moved into the house. Though it was below zero outside and dropping, Agnes was in a T-shirt.
“It’s nice and warm, and the fuel is so much lower than my old house, “she says. “I’m so grateful, very grateful.” n
Alex ice fishes with his children. The village residents live a subsistence lifestyle.
Alex Beans adjusts the foundation of a new home using a jack.
Agnes Brown lived in this 1970s house before her new home was built.
Running Toward
Rural athletes overcome hurdles to win scholarships
By David Herder
Dannika Goss has always wanted to play collegiate volleyball. Life put many challenges along her way to that goal. She honed her vision, reactions and other skills to fulfill her athletic potential. She also put in thousands of miles of drive time, traveling more than an hour from her rural home along the Oregon Coast in Tillamook to practice and play with her club volleyball team in Salem. She spent her high school years attending camps and tournaments where she was one of hundreds of athletes evaluated by college coaches.
Each year, thousands of studentathletes across the country pursue college scholarships. Ultimately, only 1 of every 50 is likely to reach that level, according to a 2021 study by Next College Student Athlete. That bar can be even tougher to clear for athletes like Dannika, who live in rural areas where getting the attention of major programs can be more difficult.
For rural athletes like Dannika, winning a spot on a college roster takes more than just the talent and commitment to be a high-level athlete—it also takes a second job as a communicator and organizer, working just to be seen.
Club commitments
Dannika, a member of the Tillamook High School class of 2024, started playing volleyball in kindergarten. In fourth grade, she was excited because the players were now old enough to use a full-sized volleyball, and she joined the local club team, Tillamook Volleyball Club.
Club sports can be important to athletes’ development. School teams play in the fall, winter or spring, but club teams keep athletes in shape and improving throughout the year. Beyond gym and coaching access, clubs can also
switched to play with North Pacific Juniors, a club based in Salem, Oregon. That NPJ coaching staff included Haley Domeck, who is now the head coach at Linfield University, a Division III school in McMinnville, Oregon. While Haley coached the age group above Dannika’s at NPJ, she watched Dannika improve.
“She is one of the nicest human beings I have ever met in my entire life,” Haley says. “Coming from Tillamook to Salem was no small commitment on her end or her family’s end.”
Haley, who played volleyball at Hawaii Pacific University and graduated in 2015, says playing club sports is a great way to improve and get noticed.
“It’s not about what club you play for, it’s more so about getting touches on the volleyball,” she says.
These touches don’t necessarily have to come from club sports, but it’s important for athletes’ growth to be in the gym working on conditioning or finding other ways to play and improve.
When playing at the club level, an
I was just doing multiple things as much as I possibly could to get my name out there, because I am from a very small town here in Tillamook.
— Dannika Goss, college volleyball player
Toward the Future
advantage beyond practice is traveling to large tournaments. In her role as Linfield coach, Haley often attends these tournaments to scout talent. While sports like track or swimming can recruit athletes based on their times, and some more dynamic sports like baseball can recruit pitchers based on measurables like pitch speed and ball rotation, volleyball is more difficult to measure and requires the eye test.
“One of my rules as a coach is I have to see somebody play live in order to make them an offer,” Haley says, “because there’s things that you pick up on in person that you don’t see on film.”
Club tournaments can be large. There can be 200 courts running with four teams
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MARK GILLILAND
Max Hannum, left, will play football at Montana State this fall. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAX HANNUM
per court and 12 athletes per team. With thousands of athletes competing at once, these tournaments help coaches maximize the number of players they can see.
“It’s quite a recruiting beast,” Haley says.
Not every sport has clubs helping athletes improve during the high school offseason, but most sports have camps and showcases that help recruits get seen by coaches. Max Hannum, a football player in the class of 2024 from Thompson Falls, Montana, took part in camps operated by college teams from around the state. Typically, he’d travel two to four hours each way.
knowledge and more drills he could use throughout the year to improve. The camps also let him get to know the coaches, and the coaches got to know him.
Persistence pays off
Max wasn’t only meeting coaches in person at the camps—he often reached out electronically, too. The internet helps make
sent him game film to review through a website called Hudl. Operating somewhat like a sports version of YouTube, Hudl is a website and app where teams and athletes post game film and highlights. While reviewing his team’s film, Max would highlight his best plays and edit his own highlight reel. He’d then share the highlights on Twitter or send them directly to coaches.
I felt like all the work I put in finally paid off. Getting your name out there is the biggest thing.
— Max Hannum, football player from Thompson Falls, Montana
“I had to travel a lot for those camps,” he says. “Going to the camps is really the only extra football you can do around here.”
Max says these camps made a huge impact on his football career. Working with coaches, he took his techniques as a tight end and linebacker to a higher level. He says collegiate coaches had extra
the world smaller, and sharing highlight tapes allows rural athletes like Max and Dannika to be seen by coaches who don’t have the time to travel to see them play. This skill of sharing one’s story has helped many athletes find homes on college rosters.
“Getting your name out there is the biggest thing,” Max says.
During football season, Max’s coaches
“My approach was just to send my highlight films everywhere, trying to get in contact with as many coaches as I could,” he says.
While that shotgun approach could have lead to more rejections from coaches, that didn’t bother Max.
“It motivated me at the same time just to get better,” he says.
Dannika Goss, here with her family, will pursue a nursing degree while playing volleyball at Linfield University.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNIKA GOSS
Even as a coach whose email inbox can get stuffed with messages from recruits, Haley agrees that athletes should reach out to coaches they’d like to play for. If an athlete doesn’t hear back, they should be persistent.
“It’s not fun hearing no, but at least you know where you stand,” she says. “If you are, for lack of a better term, annoying, or if you’re persistent, we’re going to respond to you at some point. There’s lots of things going on.”
Fulfilling the dream
Dannika tried many methods to get recruited. She attended showcases at colleges and the one hosted by her club team. She also used an app called SportsRecruits, which connects recruits and coaches and lets athletes post videos and highlights for coaches to scout.
“I was just doing multiple things as much as I possibly could to get my name out there, because I am from a very small town here in Tillamook,” Dannika says.
Max’s moonlighting as a video editor helped keep him in contact with coaches. After narrowing the list down to fit with his academic pursuits—he intends to study construction management, with an eye on the energy industry—the staff he was in the heaviest conversation with was at Montana Technological University in Butte, Montana. This fall, when he was attending the school’s football camp, the Montana Tech coaches offered him a scholarship.
“I felt like all the work I put in finally paid off,” Max says. “I’ve always wanted to be a collegiate football player. That’s always been my dream. I grew up with a bunch of friends that had this same goal, and not a lot of them reached it.”
For Dannika, being recruited by multiple schools was fun but also stressful.
“I didn’t want to let any of the coaches down or anything, because I wasn’t fully committing yet,” she says.
Dannika signed on to play for Haley at Linfield University. Strong academics were a major factor. Dannika wants to be a pediatric nurse, and Linfield has a strong nursing program. A high point of her campus visit was talking with an anatomy and physiology professor and touring the school’s cadaver lab.
After a long effort trying to get noticed by schools, she will pursue her dreams both on and off the volleyball court. “I’m super excited to go there in the fall,” she says. n
Scoring a Scholarship
By Sara Patterson
1. Know your skill level—find camps, clinics and clubs—and NCAA or NAIA eligibility requirements found on their websites.
2. Compile an athletic resume with:
• Skills video
• Athletic stats
• Academic transcripts, ACT/SAT scores
• Extracurricular activities
3. Start emailing coaches.
• Include your athletic resume, especially your skills video.
• Subject line should include: name, current grade level, position and key stat. “Jane Doe, high school sophomore, pitcher, 90 mph fastball.”
• Individually craft each email, clearly stating why you’re interested in that program.
4. Make campus visits and line up meetings with coaches. Keep sending updated stats.
5. Lock down your offer and negotiate your amount. If a program can’t budget for a huge athletic scholarship, don’t discount merit-based, academic or other types.
To help get noticed, Max sent his highlight tapes to any coach he was interested in playing for. PHOTO COURTESY OF MAX HANNUM
Savor the Sea WITH TASTY SHRIMP DISHES
Shrimp Scampi
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon plus 11/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 pound linguine
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/2 lemon, zest grated
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 lemon, thinly sliced in half-rounds
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Drizzle some oil in a large pot of boiling water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and the linguine. Cook to al dente.
Meanwhile, in another large, heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter and olive oil over mediumlow heat. Add the garlic. Saute for 1 minute. Add the shrimp, 11/2 teaspoons of salt and pepper. Saute, stirring often, until the shrimp turn pink, about 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Add the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon slices and red pepper flakes. Toss to combine.
When the pasta is done, drain the cooked linguine and put it back in the pot. Immediately add the shrimp and sauce. Toss well and serve.
Recipes by Gertrude Treadaway
ADOBE STOCK
PHOTO BY CWP, LLC/STOCKSY
Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp
4 slices bacon, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
2 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, light and dark green parts divided
1 stalk celery, finely diced
Grits
4 cups whole milk
¾ teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking grits
1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 7 minutes. Add the shrimp to the skillet, and sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning and salt. Increase the heat to mediumhigh. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are mostly pink but not quite cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer the shrimp and bacon mixture to a bowl, and set aside. Place the skillet back on the heat. Do not wash it.
Melt the butter in the skillet. Add the light green scallions, celery, bell pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour, and mix until incorporated. Whisk in the chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Set it aside while you make the grits. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, bring the milk and salt to a boil. Whisking constantly, slowly pour the grits into the bubbling milk. Reduce the heat to low. Simmer, whisking often, until the grits become thick and creamy, about 5 minutes. Stir continuously to prevent sputtering.
Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the cheese. Taste. Adjust the salt, if necessary. Remove the pan from the heat. Cover with a lid to keep warm until ready to serve. Place the skillet with the vegetable/sauce mixture back on the stove. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Return the shrimp and bacon, along with any juices that collected in the bowl, to the skillet. Mix well. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp are cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle dark green scallions over the shrimp.
Honey Garlic Shrimp
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 pound medium uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 teaspoons olive oil
Green onion, chopped
In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, garlic and ginger to make a marinade/sauce.
Place shrimp in a large sealable container or zipped-top bag. Pour half of the marinade on top. Shake or stir, then marinate the shrimp in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or up to 12 hours. Cover and refrigerate the remaining sauce.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place shrimp in the skillet. Discard used marinade.
Cook shrimp on one side until pink, about 45 seconds, then flip shrimp over. Pour in remaining marinade/sauce and cook it all until shrimp is cooked through, about 1-2 more minutes.
Serve shrimp with cooked marinade sauce. Garnish with green onions.
Thai Shrimp Curry With Jasmine Rice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and green parts
2 cloves garlic, minced
21/2 tablespoons Thai green curry paste
14-ounce can coconut milk
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons lime juice
Lime wedges for serving 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 3 minutes.
Add the scallions, garlic and green curry paste. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
Add the coconut milk, water, fish sauce and sugar. Bring to a gentle boil. Add the shrimp. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp are pink and just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes.
Stir in the lime juice, and sprinkle with the cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Serve with jasmine rice.
READER EXCHANGE
Books/Magazines
I am looking for a copy of the April 1978 Oregon Times magazine. I can find other issues but not this one. Thank you in advance.
Marlene McCormack P.O. Box 1472 Sisters, OR 97759
Please send Catherine Cookson books. I don’t have any more by her, and she is my favorite author.
Marsha Holeik
16637 William Foss Road La Pine, OR 97739
Crafts/Hobbies
Looking for jewelry—broken or otherwise, beads (no seed beads or children’s plastic) and macrame supplies to keep busy crafting to sell for my medical copays. I may not be able to send thank yous in the mail but will email if you include your information. Thank you for your consideration.
L. Thomas P.O. Box 421 Ocean Shores, WA 98569
Does anyone want new or used T-shirt hem remnants? They vary in size, color and wear. You pay for postage.
Elaine Fuchigami
8252 NW Oxbow Drive
Corvallis, OR 97330-2835 lareifu@gmail.com
Milestones
My mom’s very good friend and next-door neighbor turns 86 years old in September. As a present to Trudi, my mom and I wish to have Ruralite readers surprise her with many cards to celebrate her special day. Trudi has been a helpful friend to my mom. They have known each other for 20 years and talk on the phone almost every day. Please help us give Trudi a deserving birthday present by sending your cards to Trudi Engen, P.O. Box 239, Pilot Rock, OR 97868. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Ron Kopp Condon, Oregon
My lovely mother turns 90 years old in early September. She has been a lifelong volunteer and still volunteers at the Fossil Museum two days a week through the summer. It would be great to surprise her with lots of birthday wishes! Please send wishes to Darlene Alexander, P.O. Box 141, Fossil, OR 97830.
Randi Fitch
Trout Lake, Washington
If you stopped by the Vida Cafe from 1979-94 my mom probably waited on you, cooked your meal or baked your piece of pie from scratch. Gracie “Leo” Brown enjoyed visiting with all the customers and would love to get a birthday card from you when she turns 90 years old at the end of September. Leo Bean moved to Finn Rock from Arkansas when she was 8 years old and attended McKenzie schools. After she married logger Sonny Brown, they moved to Vida to raise their family. Of course, she enjoys getting mail. Please send her birthday greeting to Gracie “Leo” Brown, Rawlin at River Bend, 3491 Game Farm Road, Unit 213, Springfield, OR 97477.
Wanda McClure
McKenzie Bridge, Oregon
Odds
I have been unable to find blades for my Fiskars 12" aluminum cut rail paper trimmer. I like it because I am blind in my right eye, and it’s easier to see lines. Please reach out if you can help. Thank you.
Jean Stewart
2657 Greyfox Drive Sutherlin, OR 97479
Thanks
A few months ago, I asked for wooden thread spools for a friend who carves faces into them. The response was overwhelming. Ruralite readers sent more than 200 and they are still coming. He has all he can use for the rest of his life. Please, cease and desist. I can’t believe how many wooden spools are still in existence. Thank you for the response. You are the absolute best.
Barbara Cadwell
The Dalles, Oregon
Thank you to all the generous people who sent their beautiful fabric remnants for my granddaughter and I to use for our sewing projects. We were truly overwhelmed and will be able to continue with our sewing projects for many days to come.
Diane Sauer Sunriver, Oregon
Submitting Requests Is Free
Send your request—with no attachments—to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange. Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates. Submissions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and as space allows. We cannot honor every request.
Please affirm you have authorization from all appropriate parties before submitting. By submitting, you indemnify Reader Exchange, Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., its officers, directors, employees, utility clients and insurers from all legal liability incurred by the publication of information.
We no longer accept pen pal requests. You may submit a pen pal request as a Marketplace ad. Marketplace pricing applies.
When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone.
Phone numbers will not be published. Email addresses will be published if part of the ad, but the request must include a postal address.
Request must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
The answer: Although tremendous strides have been made in
those cost reductions have not been passed on to
See the effects of extreme temperatures in
Death Valley
What Is It?
Straddling the border of California and Nevada, Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places on Earth. Unique geological features create the hot, dry climate, but life finds a way to thrive in the valley.
Why so Dry?
Rain shadows help prevent moisture from reaching Death Valley. When wet clouds over the Pacific Ocean travel east toward the valley, they must first pass over four mountain ranges. The clouds rise, making the moisture cool and condense, causing rain to fall. This successively happens, and an average of just 2 inches of rainfall a year lands on the valley.
Why so Hot?
Death Valley has low elevation— almost 300 feet below sea level— and is bowled in by mountains on all sides. When the desert floor heats up, the warm air rises but is trapped by the mountains and moves back to the valley floor. Despite this, winters in the valley can reach freezing temperatures, as the desert doesn’t retain heat as well as other biomes.
What to Do?
Death Valley can be great for a fall or winter road trip, when you won’t need to max out the air conditioner. Badwater Road is one of the most popular paths, takes about 90 minutes to drive and showcases the lowest point in the valley, as well as other viewpoints. Another popular spot is Zabriskie Point, a vista from which visitors can look over the badlands.
More Information
Death Valley is experiencing one of the hottest summers on record—it reached 127 F this July. Fall, winter and spring trips are much more popular. To start planning your trip, call 760-786-3200 or go online and visit www.nps.gov/deva.
ADOBE STOCK PHOTO BY MENGCHAO
In the Autumn of My Life
By Dave LaBelle
I remember photographing an elderly man leaning on a hoe while working in his garden. Watching him through a telephoto lens, I was curious what he was thinking. I may have asked him, but I don’t remember. Later, as I looked at the photograph, I wondered what his life had been like.
What were his dreams or regrets?
Then a year or so later, I was assigned to photograph a philosopher who was in town to speak. He was staying at a luxurious inn. Arriving early, as is my habit, I noticed a man walking slowly down a tree-lined driveway, his hands behind his back. Unnoticed, I stopped and
made a few photographs before approaching him.
I asked him about his morning stroll.
“I take long walks alone,” he answered. “I ask intelligent questions and get intelligent answers.” Then he added, “But my best thoughts usually come to me when I am on the toilet and have nothing else to do.”
Fifty-five years later, I see myself in the posture of both aging men. Either image could be a self-portrait of sorts, of me contemplating life now.
I have often seen glimpses of myself in others, for good and bad. In a quiet, subtle way, I think I have photographed others to express what I was experiencing. In telling their story, I was telling my own.
Someone once wrote and said they had watched my daily newspaper photos for years and felt they knew me. I hadn’t thought much about that before, but reasoned there was some truth in their observation. No doubt those who follow this column or read my blog can say with some accuracy, they know me. The subjects I choose, the personal things I share— they are doors into my life and heart. I feel the same about some authors or sports announcers.
There was a period in my young life when I felt alone and hopeless. I photographed
Reader Challenge
Make a picture that expresses where you are in your life’s journey. Maybe it is something that reveals what you believe or how you see yourself? Or perhaps, like me, it’s something or someone you aspire to be like. This is a tough assignment but one worth trying.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to GPH@pur.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
many sad and lonely people, transients and those who had lost loved ones. I think I was crying in my camera, silently asking for help through my photographs.
I believe most of us ask ourselves why we are here on this earth and what plan or purpose we serve. Now, at 73, I have come to realize one of the talents my creator has blessed me with is the gift to give others a voice while serving as a mirror to show others themselves, especially their beauty and value. n
Renowned author, photographer and lecturer Dave LaBelle has captured special moments for more than half a century. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
NIKON F2, 300mm lens Tri-X film at ASA 400, f/4.5 at 1/250
This quiet moment captured on film reflects the thoughtful feelings of the photographer. PHOTO BY DAVE LABELLE
Praise for DiamondAura®
“So much sparkle and the play of light on DiamondAura® beats any diamond!” — D.D. from Columbus, OH
How to Win at Love
A classic tennis bracelet serves up over 10 carats of sparkle for a guaranteed win
It was the jewelry piece that made the world stop and take notice. In the middle of a long volley during the big American tennis tournament, the chic blonde athlete had to stop play because her delicate diamond bracelet had broken and she had to nd it. e tennis star recovered her beloved bracelet, but the world would never be the same.
From that moment on, the tennis bracelet has been on the lips and on the wrists of women in the know. Once called eternity bracelets, these bands of diamonds were known from then on as tennis bracelets, and remain the hot ticket item with jewelers.
with D Flawless diamonds from another company that costs $57,000!
Want to look like a million bucks without stressing over losing or damaging something that cost you a fortune? e Love Wins Tennis Bracelet is a simple strand of glittering gems in precious sterling that epitomizes elegance.
earrings with your purchase of the Love Wins Bracelet.
e rst time we o ered this bracelet, we sold out literally in minutes. It was our fastest selling product of 2021. It took six months to get it back in stock — Get yours before we run out! And there’s more... we will also include our Ultimate Diamond Alternative™ DiamondAura® stud earrings for FREE!
Jewelry Speci cations:
We’ve captured this timeless classic with over 10 total carats of DiamondAura®, our signature diamond alternative stone. is sparkling marvel rivals even the nest diamonds (D Flawless) with its transparent color and clarity, and both are so hard they can cut glass. Don’t believe me? e book “Jewelry and Gems – e Buying Guide,” praised the technique used in our diamond alternative DiamondAura®: “ e best diamond simulation to date, and even some jewelers have mistaken these stones for mined diamonds,” it raved. For comparison, we found a similarly designed 10 carat tennis bracelet
• 10 ¾ ctw of the Ultimate Diamond Alternative®, DiamondAura®
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• Bracelet: Fits wrists to 7 ½". Earrings: 1 ctw with post backs
Love Wins Tennis Bracelet (10 ¾ ctw) $399 $39* + S&P
FREE stud earrings (1 ctw) with your purchase of the Love Wins Bracelet — a $99 value!
*Special price only for customers using the offer code.
Your Offer Code: LWB296-02
This book of more than 220 recipes from our 2005 contest has garden fresh and warm winter meals sure to appeal to every taste. Recipes include Lucious Pumpkin Soup, Nacogdoches Pheasant Stew and Smoked Salmon Chowder. The 8½-by-11-inch spiral-bound, indexed book is $8 (includes postage).
GET OUT THE i n NE VADA
WHY SHOULD YOU VOTE?
Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard in our democracy, but in 2020, only 66.8% of the voting-age population in the United States reported voting.
Modern technology has improved access to information on candidates and made it easier to register to vote in many areas, and it is vital to be aware of how you can participate in the 2024 election cycle.
NEVADA’S ABSENTEE AND MAIL-IN VOTING PROCEDURES
Permanent absentee / mail-in voting procedures:
Ballots are delivered to all voters •
NEVADA’S EARLY VOTING DEADLINES
Early Voting Begins: October 19, 2024
Early Voting Ends: November 1, 2024
Data as of 09/20/23
To register to vote in Nevada, visit the State Board of Elections website for more information on voter eligibility and the registration process. HTTPS://WWW.NVSOS.GOV/SOS/ ELECTIONS
DEADLINES TO KNOW FOR VOTING IN NEVADA
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 8, 2024
28 days before an election in-person; postmarked 28 days before if registering by mail; 5 days before if registering online. Deadlines for special elections are different; Same-day registration is permitted during early voting and on Election Day.
ABSENTEE / MAIL-IN VOTING
BALLOT DEADLINES:
Application Not Required
Application Not Required [All Mail]
BALLOT SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Ballots postmarked by Election Day must arrive by 5 p.m. on the 4th day after the election, and unclear postmarks received by the 3rd day after the election are deemed to be from Election Day or earlier.
Postmarked by Election Day
You can begin the registration process through Nevada’s Online Voter Registration System.
MARKETPLACE
Agriculture
4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002; nas@cpcinternet.com. 1224
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft.). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width and length. Truck tarps and more. High puncture and tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 43 years in business. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712.
2024 grass hay. 50 to 60 small square bales. Very good quality. 24760 Hwy. 101 South, Cloverdale. Call 503-812-2313 or 503-812-6539.
Antiques and Collectibles
Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0924
Antique country store items. 1910-60. Tins, light-up signs, clocks, Coca-Cola, drugstore, soda fountain, barber items, beer sign and much more. Cash. Gregory, 208-301-4246. 0924
WC Collectibles. We buy comic books! Local to the Inland Northwest, willing to travel. WCCollectiblesCheney@gmail.com; 509-496-1835. 1024
Collection of ID license plates from 1920-40. 23 plates, 14 dates. Can text photo, $400 for all. 509-254-1947.
Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Koufax, etc. If interested in buying 1957-73 vintage baseball cards, let’s talk. Jim, 530-283-2826 or 530-394-8668.
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc. Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 1024
Automotive
Rare 1960 Chevy pickup 4x4. Shortbed. Not running now. Text or call 661-713-3377. Leave message. $7K. 0824
Storage space for any RV, vehicle, boat and trailer. 24/7 security and access. Any size, $100 a month. Text Mark for call back, 714-949-6913. 0924
Books, Magazines, Videos
Book restoration. Bibles, cookbooks, cherished family heirlooms. Beautiful work. We give renewed life, more durable than original, to last for generations. 775-537-7066; salacanstudio@gmail.com. 0924AR
Quick, Affordable: How to Place an Ad
Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An extended ad of up to 35 words is $50 a month. Contact information is included in the word count. Phone numbers and emails count as one word.
Longer ads may be placed. Contact 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop for pricing information.
Ads are for customers of member co-ops, public utility districts and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire about pricing at 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop.
Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.
Closing deadlines (in our office): November issue—Sept. 30, 2024.
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop.
Call 503-357-2105 to pay by credit card.
Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Pioneer Utility Resources is not liable for interactions between buyers and sellers.
Business Opportunities
A great business opportunity in Boardman, OR. A small cafe you can use your imagination in. Frontage view of freeway, quick in and out access. A coffee shop on property for extra income. $1.1M. For more information, call Karen at 541-571-0636. 1024
Quaint hardware store in Maupin, OR, for sale. Inventory and interior store recently updated and refreshed. See ad on Bizbuysell.com or email Maupincountrystore@gmail.com. $259K. 0924
Community Events
“Start the Story at the End,” Sept. 6-Oct.26 and “Journeys & Convergence,” Sept. 6-28. Art Center East, La Grande, OR. artcentereast.org. 0924
Equipment/Tools
DR multi trimmer, $350. Kubota rototiller. Only 25 hours use. $1,150. 11 push-pull control cables $40-$90 each. FOB Eugene, OR. Ted, 458-910-3727. 1024
Farm Equipment
1965 Ford 3000 Tractor with auger/utility crane, rotary cutter, brush hog and box spreader. Runs. Original operator’s manuals. $4K, OBO. Cottage Grove, OR. 541-942-6837. 0924
Free Items
Free materials—church, government uniting, suppressing “religious liberty,” enforcing National Sunday Law. Be informed. Need mailing address only. TBS, P.O. Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. tbsmads@yahoo.com; 888-211-1715. 0924AR
Help Wanted
The Cape Blanco Heritage Society needs volunteers at the Cape Blanco Lighthouse Greeting Center and Hughes House for 2024 and 2025. Background checks are required. Free RV hookups are available to volunteers. heritage32@frontier.com; 541-332-0521. 1024
Hobbies, Gifts, Games
Selling United States postage stamp collection. Mint plate blocks and sheets dating back to the 1940s. Photo available. Bob, 541-786-6195 or brown.donna50@gmail.com.
Media
Watch Channel 25 (Southern NV)—on the go— for free on your TV, phone, tablet, computer or ROKU. Visit www.kpvm.tv and stream live today. 775-727-9400. 0924
Your ad could be here in November. See instructions above for details.
Miscellaneous
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: Joe, highdesertmemorials@gmail.com, 541-815-8906; www.highdesertmemorials.com. 1124
Local commercial fisherman sells summer catch of preserved freshness by blast freezing at sea, gourmet canned tuna on internet. Sept.June. 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Original, jalapeno and garlic flavors available. To order: twofisherstuna.com or call 206-799-1082. 1124
Alaskan Yellow Cedar. Great for planter boxes, herb and flower beds, fencing or decks. Various sizes available. Pete, 541-206-0727. Lisa, 541-747-5025, ext. 21. 1224
Pets, Supplies
AKC-registered Irish wolfhounds. Crane, OR. Morning Star Acres, www.morningstaracre.com. Barb, 541-589-2923.
Husky, male. 4 years old. Very gentle. Great with kids. Burntwood, OR. 541-875-4172.
AKC-registered Airedales. Fort Sage Kennels, Patricia Sharp, P.O. Box 246, Doyle, CA 96109. 530-827-2271. 0924
Plants, Garden Supplies
Cactus for sale. Cold/winter hardy. Good for landscaping. Sunnyside/Mabton, WA, area. Local pickup only. 509-391-5546; marybarthlow@gmail.com. 0924
Real Estate
15 off-grid acres at 8,400 ft. near Fort Garland, CO. Great view of CO’s fourth-highest peak. On Person’s Road in Sangre de Cristo Ranches. Piñon trees, year-round access. $52.9K. 541-729-0374. 0924
Buying or selling in Brookings, OR? Call Pat Piper at Century 21 Agate Realty first. Experience. Empathy. Education. Exceptional. 541-251-2152; patpiperbroker@gmail.com. 1024
Christmas Valley, OR. 40 acres with perimeter fence. 36x36 metal building, two carports, 370-ft. deep water well, storage container on chase. Only taking serious offers. 541-536-5776. 0924
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourthgeneration Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Sisters, OR. 40 acres. Price reduced. $1.55M. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@ landandwildlife.com. Land and Wildlife brokerage. 0924
5-acre lots, $30K down and 5% interest. Recreational, beautiful view outside Cherry Creek, NV. Owner finance. Ray Bick, 775-591-0420. 0924
Beautiful custom home on 15 acres w/ stunning panoramic mountain and valley views. Garage, barn. $615K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363, ddwr@ortelco.net. 0924
9956 Beach Drive, Birkenfeld, OR. Looking for a perfect getaway spot, or ever dreamed of living in the woods? Come see this adorable home at Fishhawk Lake. Tucked in the trees, you can relax by the firepit, swing in the hammock or wander to the lake for kayaking. Very open floor plan with primary bedroom and bathroom on the main level. Loft is a nonconforming second bedroom or maybe use as an office. Good storage, including the exterior shed. A quick jaunt to the community rec center, pickleball courts and more. So much to love and see here. Listed at $275K / ML#24220670 Listed by Lea Chitwood, Re/Max Power Pros. 503-730-4554/leachitwood@remax.net.
Irrigon, OR. 3-bd, 2-ba manufactured home on permanent foundation. Huge shop and garage stick-built, unattached. One full city block property. $400K/OBO. 541-922-9675. 0924
2-bd, 2-ba older home in Ely, NV, close to downtown businesses and events, all city utilities, many upgrades, detached garage on ¼-acre lot. 702-493-7581.
First home with 3 decks and second home with 2 decks, carport with 40-ft container, 2 sheds, tack building, mature shade and fruit trees on fenced 2.5 acres. White and Silver Peak mountains. $425K. 775-966-9009.
Recreational Rentals
Bend country cabin. Very clean and fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $95/night. 541-382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com.
Recreational Vehicles
Seeking an able-bodied, cheerful, retired individual or couple to help register guests and do fix-its around our small community motel and campground in exchange for apartment accommodations. Building community and ministry through hospitality here at Vantage Riverstone, Vantage, WA. Additional involvement opportunities via RV tenancy at affordable monthly rates. 509-8562800; Vantagedesk@gmail.com. RV rentals, as well as housing available.
Services
Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. Check out our website at dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com. 541-388-7605; 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. LaPine, OR. 0824
Timeshare victims? Call TimeShareBeGone, 800-214-4460. We will get your timeshare legally canceled. A+ BBB, five-star reviews, 16 years experience. 100% money-back guarantee.
We all want delicious, fresh, nourishing food to feed our families. We’ve got pastured pork, corn/soy/GMO-free. Delivery to your door or drop sites. Order at www.rural-roots-ranch.com or text Christy at 541-589-4674. 1224
Situations Wanted
Seeking an able-bodied, cheerful, retired individual or couple to help register guests and do fix-its around our small community motel and campground in exchange for apartment accommodations. Building community and ministry through hospitality here at Vantage Riverstone, Vantage, WA. Additional involvement opportunities via RV tenancy at affordable monthly rates. 509-856-2800; Vantagedesk@gmail.com.
Want to Buy
Wanted: 1967-72 Buick Skylark, GS, Stage 1, GSX. Cars, parts or leads. Or any ’60s or ’70s vehicles. billybibbett@hotmail.com. 1124
Old carpenter tools, planes (wood/metal), levels, chisels, slicks, adzes, axes, hatchets, handsaws, old rulers, spoke shaves, wrenches, shipwright tools, old tool chests. 503-659-0009 or 971-666-0659. 0824
Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 44 years in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. 1024
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc. Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 1024
Wanted: Old 501 Levi’s jeans, jackets w/capital “E” on the red tag. Also, Carhartts with red heart. Good prices. Text photos to 208-255-8030.
Private party looking for muscle car, V8, 2-door, manual transmission preferred. As original as possible, good condition. Willing to pay up for nice car. 1961-62 Chev (348/409), 1964-65 GTO, 1966-67 Nova, 1965-66 Chevelle, 1968-70 Charger/ Cuda. 1962-67 Corvette, 1969 Camaro. Call or text, 503-799-3835.
Eatonville United Methodist Church A Spiritual Base Camp On The Way To Paradise.
Mashell Avenue North P.O. Box 205 Eatonville, WA 98328 360-832-4021
Home: 360-832-4562 Pastor Bernard Preston Ritchea Cell: 361-330-9666
Facebook: Eatonville United Methodist Church of Washington OPEN HEARTS OPEN MINDS OPEN DOORS OPEN TABLE WORSHIP SERVICE BEGINS AT 10:30 a.m.
Who Has the Power?
Operational and mission changes impact dams’ power output
manages the dams.
The four lower Snake River dams have long been an important source of power for the Pacific Northwest. But the amount of power they produce during the nine months each year that fish pass through the dams has been reduced, and that impacts electric cooperatives in the Northwest.
The lower Snake River dams are Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams. Each one has six turbines. Combined, the four dams can produce enough electricity to power all of Montana and Wyoming, according to Paul Ocker, chief of operations and maintenance for the Walla Walla District of the Army Corps of Engineers, which
Ocker said the mission of the dams has changed since they were built in the 1960s and ’70s.
“The main reason they were built was for navigation,” he said, noting hydropower was later added to the dams.
Staff at Lower Granite and Ice Harbor dams said all four dams were built with fish ladders for returning adult fish. Additional fish-passage measures for juvenile fish were added later.
In Ocker’s 24 years with the Corps of Engineers, he says has seen power take a backseat to fish considerations.
“The focus is even greater on fish than when I first got here,” he said. “For the Snake River dams, I think we are reaching the limit of what we can do.”
In 2022, the four lower Snake River dams produced 6.6 million megawatthours of power, or enough to provide electricity for about 600,000 homes. That’s a lot of power, but it’s a lot less than it used to be—and could still be.
“In the last 25 years, we are producing a lot less power than we used to,” Ocker said. “We are spilling a lot of water for fish migration—a lot more than we used to.”
He explained that in the past, each of the four dams on the lower Snake River typically ran five turbines. This spring, with low flows and a new court settlement and biological opinion dictating spillage, the dams typically ran one turbine, often at minimum generation.
“We don’t make a decision without considering fish,” said Brian Vorheis,
Brian Vorheis, operations project manager for Ice Harbor Dam, says the dam may never return to running all six of its turbines.
Storyandphotosby RuralMontanaEditorRyanHall
“In the last 25 years, we are producing a lot less power than we used to. We are spilling a lot of water for fish migration—a lot more than we used to.”
— PAUL OCKER, CHIEF OF OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE WALLA WALLA DISTRICT OF
operation project manager for Ice Harbor Dam.
Rob Lustig, operation project manager at Lower Granite Dam, said that’s the case there as well.
“A lot of things we are doing differently are related to that biological opinion,” Lustig said. “Here, hydro is not king.”
For example, on May 23, Ice Harbor Dam spilled 69,000 cubic feet per second of water through its spillways. Think of each cubic foot as being about the size of a basketball. Just under 10,000 cfs of that water was used to generate what dam officials call “min-gen,” or minimum generation—about 75 megawatts. That means roughly seven times the amount of water being used for generation was spilled to aid juvenile fish migration.
A day earlier, Lower Granite had one turbine running at min-gen, producing 85 MW. Turbines at Ice Harbor can produce a maximum between 102 MW and 111 MW each, while Lower Granite turbines each produce up to 135 MW.
Normally this time of year, three to six turbines were running at up to max output, Lustig said.
“How much we generate right now is dictated by a settlement agreement that is overseen by the courts,” Ocker said. “It is the desire of the environmental groups and the plaintiffs to have all fish pass by a nonpowerhouse route.”
He said typically the fish survival rate through a turbine is about 90%, while it’s 98% through other passage routes, such as the spillway or when diverted around the turbines by fish screens.
Ocker noted the new turbines at Ice Harbor have a fish survival rate between 96% and 98%.
Before the settlement agreement, a biological opinion issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dictated how much energy the dams could generate.
“We spilled excess water if there was not enough demand,” Ocker said. “Now
ABOVE: Crews prepare the housing for an upgraded turbine being installed at Ice Harbor Dam. The new, more fish-friendly, turbine is scheduled to go online in 2026. TOP: Lower Granite Dam has six turbines, but they rarely all run at the same time or at maximum capacity due to recent regulations to protect salmon.
we spill specifically for fish eight or nine months out of the year. As the Corps of Engineers, what we are required to do is balance what the people need and what the environment needs.”
Vorheis said that once Ice Harbor reaches the 10,000 cfs inflow it needs to run one turbine at min-gen, it must spill the next 110,000 cfs to meet the current operating plan under the settlement before it can generate more power. Vorheis said that without a mandated spill, 96,000 cfs would be enough to generate at maximum power. The plan requirements mean it now takes a river flow of 206,000 cfs to run all six turbines at maximum output.
“I don’t know if we will ever see all six lights on again,” Vorheis said, referring to the lights on the turbines that show they are running. “Four years ago, we were running all six units. Since spill kicked off
THE
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS,
in April (2024), we’ve been running one unit at min-gen.”
Brad Sharp, chief of operations at Lower Granite Lock and Dam, said that since 2020, the total project generation has decreased between 20-25%, with most of that coming in the spring salmon run of April until mid-June.
That generation is variable based on snowpack each year, but the five-year averages show a trend. From 2015 to 2019, Lower Granite Dam produced an average of 307,930 megawatt-hours in April. From 2020-2024, the five-year average for April was 91,224 MWh. For May, the average dropped from 385,103 MWh to 202,691 MWh over the same time frames.
One key element that remains—even with the fish passage plan, biological opinions and court settlement—is that hydropower stands at the ready in case of a power emergency where demand outpaces supply.
“There’s still the availability component,” said Harold Wentworth, chief of operations for Ice Harbor. “That availability is still important to the reliability of the grid. If an emergency were to happen, we would deviate from the fish passage plan with appropriate coordination.”
He said if the Bonneville Power Administration called for more power— which happens if intermittent generators such as wind or solar stop producing— backup power must already be spinning.
“In this region, that is primarily hydropower,” Wentworth said.
Ice Harbor Dam can produce an additional 100 MW in two to three minutes and can be at full power within eight minutes, Wentworth said.
The same is true up and down the Snake River, including at Lower Granite Dam.
“In six minutes, we can go from not generating anything to powering a city the size of Portland,” Lustig said. n
Used with permission of Rural Montana magazine.
BEFORE YOU GO
Share the Beauty in Your Backyard
City cat, meet country fawn.
When Kim Kauzlarich and her family moved from Portland to White Salmon, Washington, it was an adjustment for the whole family. But Ragnar the cat might have had to endure the biggest change given the wildlife visiting their backyard.
“Both deer and the cat seem to enjoy peacefully watching each other,” Kim says. “Fawns are especially curious about Ragnar and want to play, but being the busy guy that he is, he only has time for a quick meet and greet before moving on with his day.”
To submit your photo, email a JPEG file to photos@pioneer.coop. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line. Please share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo. n
Casseroles for Cooler Weather
Vegetable Casserole, Pork Tamale Casserole and breakfast casseroles are just a few of the 179 mouth-watering recipes available in Ruralite’s Casseroles booklet. Price is $8, shipping included.
To order by mail, submit with proper payment, cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to Ruralite Cookbooks, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133.
To pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover card or American Express, call 503-357-2105.
To order online, visit www. ruralite.com
Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
Ragnar meets his new neighbor in White Salmon. PHOTO BY KIM KAUZLARICH
201 Bullionville Road Panaca, NV 89042
Phone: 775-728-8200
Toll free: 888-649-3814
Email: lcpd1@lcpd1.com
DIRECTORS
President Richard Katschke
Vice President Cory Lytle
Lorin Wilkin
Cory Wadsworth
Paul Donohue
General Manager
Dane Bradfield
Board meets the second Monday of each month.
Co-ops Provide Value at a Competitive Cost
Electricity provides benefits we often take for granted. It goes well beyond short-term satisfaction by allowing us to charge devices and have cold food and hot water, all in a comfortable indoor climate. Besides the privilege it affords, electricity has remained relatively cost-stable even as inflation rises.
Lincoln County Power District does everything in its power to ensure customer costs stay reasonable and electricity remains a great value. It’s not always easy. Several factors affect the price of electricity—some within our control but most beyond it.
The cost of electricity fluctuates due to supply and demand, infrastructure investment, maintenance and operational expenses. Weather patterns affect demand and generation capabilities, with extreme conditions leading to heightened energy use or disruptions. Government policies, such as subsidies for renewable energy or taxes and regulations on emissions, shape electricity costs even further. LCPD considers all these aspects when adjusting rates. Because we’re public power and not an investor-owned utility, we also consider the effect of those costs on our members.
MISSION STATEMENT
To construct, operate and maintain a system that will provide our customers with electric service in the most economical and efficient manner consistent with sound business practice.
As our communities rely on electricity for nearly everything in our homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, we need it to be reliable and affordable. You can be sure Lincoln County Power District always puts you top of mind and works daily to ensure electricity remains the best value for your money.
In the spring of 2025, LCPD will begin conducting a cost-of-service study. Although LCPD is not required to conduct a COSS by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to adjust rates, LCPD trustees and staff think it is a fundamental tool for evaluating and establishing electric rates among the different rate classes. The entire process takes several months to complete. Once finished, we can accurately make adjustments to our rates.
I am sharing this with you as we prepare to make our annual adjustment to the purchase power adjustment charge. The COSS evaluates the entire revenue requirements of the district, while the PPAC is solely to account for additional power purchases above what was forecast in the previous COSS.
During the past 11 months, the PPAC has been the highest we have ever experienced. For the upcoming year, forecasts indicate the PPAC will be reduced somewhere between 20% to 25%. This reduction is largely due to slight decreases in the cost of market power purchases and slight increases in the proportion of power coming from lowcost hydropower. As we look to the future, it is our goal to further diversify our supply portfolio and provide you with safe, reliable power at a competitive cost.
Dane Bradfield, General Manager
Dane Bradfield